Feb 1, 2002
Headhunters

Finding a job can be tough these days. For many laid-off workers it can take weeks or months to land back on their feet. With the job market tight sending out resumes and calling companies directly may not be enough to land back on your feet, but a knowledgable headhunter can help.

In today's Investing in America one leading executive recruiter shares her secrets for finding a headhunter and landing a job.

Executive Recruiter, Smooch Reynolds, the author of "Be Hunted: 12 Secrets to Getting on the Headhunter's Radar Screen " says job-seekers should check out recruiters thoroughly and ask questions about their backgrounds and abilities.

Questions to ask:
How many searches have you done?
What kind of companies have you worked for?
How successful is your track record?

The answer to these questions will tell you if you can trust your career with that individual or maybe you should go somewhere else.

Two Types of Recruiters
A contingency recruiter: Gets paid by the company, if a candidate lands a job.
A retained search recruiter: Gets paid as a consultant by a company.

Neither should charge the job seeker a fee, but the retained recruiter is usually preferable because they know the company better.

"I think its very important to work with a recruiter who knows your industry... has worked in your industry," says Charlie Coleman of Avery Denison.

A recruiter can also help you negotiate a salary with a future employer. "They can help sell your skills, they can sort of point out the pit falls, and they can also help you get a little more than what you originally thought you were able to do," says Sandy Horn of Avery Denison.

Here are some useful tips for job seekers looking for a headhunter:
Dress up for the interview: You want to impress a headhunter as much as a future employer. They'll take you seriously and may work harder for you.
Be persistent: But don't harass the recruiter. Good recruiters tend to be busier and it could take weeks or months to land a good job.
Don't call a prospective employer directly: That's the recruiter's job. "We are kind of like the private eye of a different sort and we are examining everything about that person's behavior... how they form their sentences... how they conduct themselves... and I don't think people realize that," says Reynolds.
Headhunters are not for everybody. If you do use one, make sure they're familiar with your career ambitions and understand your field of expertise.